Occupational Asthma Reference
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Andersson N, Ajwani MK, Mahashabde S, Tiwari MK, Kerr Muir M, Mehra V, Ashiru K, Mackenzie CD,
Delayed eye and other consequences from exposure to methyl isocyanate: 930 follow up of exposed and unexposed cohorts in Bhopal,
Br J Industr Med,
1990;47:553-558,
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Keywords: India, Bhopal, methyl isocyanate, follow-up, eye
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Abstract
A follow up study three years after exposure to methyl isocyanate in 93% of exposed survivors and "control" residents in 10 Bhopali communities
showed an excess of eye irritation, eyelid infection, cataract, and a decrease in visual acuity among the exposed people. Breathlessness was twice as common in the heavily exposed clusters as those with lower
exposure, a trend that could not be explained by different age or smoking patterns (OR 2 05, 95% CI 1-363-08). Case referent analysis of
outpatient attendances at Bhopal Eye Hospital, considering patients with severe refractive errors and astigmatism as "controls," showed a 40% increased risk of trachoma, 36% increased risk of other lid infections, and 45% increased risk of irritant symptoms among previously exposed people. "Bhopal eye syndrome" may thus include full resolution of the
initial interpalpebral superficial erosion, a subsequent increased risk of eye infections, hyperresponsive phenomena (irritation, watering, and phlyctens), and possibly cataracts. It remains to be confirmed whether
this reflects a more generalised disease as a consequence of previous exposure to methyl isocyanate or whether it is only the eye that is
affected.
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